中國警告韓國樂天不要參與薩德

China has warned South Korean conglomerate Lotte over its involvement in a planned US missile shield on the peninsula — the first time Beijing has openly criticised the group after months of pressure via undeclared economic sanctions.

中國警告韓國企業(yè)集團(tuán)樂天(Lotte)不要參與在朝鮮半島部署美國導(dǎo)彈防御系統(tǒng)的計(jì)劃，這是北京方面在持續(xù)幾個(gè)月通過未公開的經(jīng)濟(jì)制裁施加壓力后，首次公開批評該集團(tuán)。

“Lotte will hurt the Chinese people and the consequences could be severe. The Chinese people will not support a company complicit in damaging China’s interests,” according to a commentary by Xinhua, the Beijing mouthpiece.

“樂天將傷害中國人民，后果可能是嚴(yán)重的。中國人民不會(huì)支持一家參與損害中國利益的公司，”官方的新華社發(fā)表的一篇評論文章稱。

The development underscores China’s two-track approach to the Korean peninsula amid heightened tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes.

這一事態(tài)突顯出，隨著朝鮮的核武和彈道導(dǎo)彈計(jì)劃引發(fā)的緊張局勢加劇，中國正在朝鮮半島采取雙軌戰(zhàn)略。

On one hand, it is increasing pressure on Pyongyang following a declaration on Sunday that it would stop importing North Korean coal.

一方面，中國正在加大對平壤方面的壓力，周日宣布停止進(jìn)口朝鮮煤炭。

On the other, it is squeezing Seoul on its plans to deploy the US missile shield that Beijing says is a “threat to regional security and stability”.

另一方面，它正在韓國部署美國反導(dǎo)系統(tǒng)計(jì)劃上對首爾方面施壓，北京方面稱該系統(tǒng)是“對區(qū)域安全和穩(wěn)定的威脅”。

North Korea has re-emerged as a potential conflict hotspot after last year testing two nuclear devices and more than 20 ballistic missiles.

在去年進(jìn)行兩次核試驗(yàn)，并試射20多枚彈道導(dǎo)彈后，朝鮮已重新成為潛在的沖突熱點(diǎn)。

Earlier this month, Pyongyang launched an advanced mid-range missile off its east coast in what observers saw a test of the new Trump administration.

本月早些時(shí)候，平壤方面在東海岸發(fā)射了一枚先進(jìn)的中程彈道導(dǎo)彈;觀察人士認(rèn)為，此舉是對剛剛就職的特朗普政府的一個(gè)試探。

“The proposed deployment of a US missile defence system in the Republic of Korea is a threat to regional security and stability, and Lotte Group is one decision away from becoming an accessory to the act,” said Xinhua.

新華社稱：“大韓民國擬議部署的美國導(dǎo)彈防御系統(tǒng)是對區(qū)域安全和穩(wěn)定的威脅，而樂天集團(tuán)只差一個(gè)決定就會(huì)成為這種行為的一個(gè)幫兇。”

Lotte is in talks with the Seoul government to trade the land needed to host the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence platform, more commonly known as Thaad.

樂天正與韓國政府談判，以轉(zhuǎn)讓部署末段高空區(qū)域防御系統(tǒng)(THAAD，中文簡稱：薩德)所需的土地。

However, South Korea’s fifth-largest conglomerate has dragged its heels on negotiations in recent months as Beijing stepped up retaliatory measures against its operations in China.

然而，隨著北京方面加強(qiáng)針對其在華業(yè)務(wù)的報(bào)復(fù)措施，韓國第五大企業(yè)集團(tuán)在近幾個(gè)月的談判中猶猶豫豫。

In December, it emerged the group’s premises across China had come under increased scrutiny and had been subject to an array of health and safety and tax investigations.

去年12月傳出的消息顯示，樂天集團(tuán)在中國各地的經(jīng)營地點(diǎn)受到更多關(guān)注，遭遇了一系列健康、安全和稅務(wù)調(diào)查。

Earlier this month, the company said it would close three retails stores in Beijing, partly as result of the deteriorating bilateral relationship over Thaad.

本月早些時(shí)候，樂天表示，將關(guān)閉在北京的三家零售店，部分原因就是薩德引發(fā)的兩國關(guān)系惡化。

“Lotte stands to lose Chinese customers and the Chinese market. That would be a very large slice out of their business pie,” said Xinhua.

“樂天將失去中國顧客和中國市場。那將是其商業(yè)蛋糕的很大一塊，”新華社稱。

The commentary urged Lotte to defer or reject the Thaad deal.

這篇評論文章敦促樂天推遲或拒絕薩德部署場地交易。

The ultimatum puts the company in a difficult position — caught between its business interests and the will of the South Korean government.

這一最后通牒使該公司陷入困難境地，被夾在其商業(yè)利益和韓國政府的意愿中間。

The issue is also a sensitive one for policymakers in Seoul who recognise the importance of relations with their biggest trading partner but are increasingly anxious about North Korean belligerence.

這對首爾的政策制定者也是一個(gè)敏感問題，他們認(rèn)識(shí)到與最大貿(mào)易伙伴關(guān)系的重要性，但越來越擔(dān)心朝鮮的挑釁行為。

“Lotte has the position to resolve this issue from the broad point of view, in other words, for the sake of the national security and national interests,” said the South Korean defence ministry.

“樂天有能力從全局角度來解決這個(gè)問題，換句話說，為了國家安全和國家利益，”韓國國防部表示。

The warning to Lotte came after China announced it would suspend coal imports from North Korea in a sign of Beijing’s displeasure with the reclusive regime.

向樂天發(fā)出警告是在中國宣布暫停從朝鮮進(jìn)口煤炭、表明北京方面對這個(gè)閉關(guān)自守的政權(quán)不滿之后。

China is North Korea’s main trading partner, and coal is one of its biggest imports from the country.

中國是朝鮮的主要貿(mào)易伙伴，而煤炭是朝鮮對華最大出口之一。

“This warning against Lotte is only the first step in pressuring the company as well as the government,” said Cai Jian, a professor at Fudan University in Shanghai.

“對樂天的這個(gè)警告只是對企業(yè)和政府施壓的第一步，”上海復(fù)旦大學(xué)教授蔡建稱。

“If Lotte does not budge, the penalties will get worse in terms impact and severity.”

“如果樂天不屈服，中方將加大懲罰措施的影響和嚴(yán)重性。